Nairobi’s ODM Delegates Endorse Vocal MP For Governor Despite Babu Interest
The race for the Nairobi Governor’s seat has heated up after a number of ODM officials and delegates endorsed Makadara MP George Aladwa for the city’s top post.
Aladwa is the chairman of ODM in Nairobi and was the last mayor of Nairobi City Council from 2011 until 2013.
The endorsement comes after Westlands MP Tim Wanyonyi, who was formerly considered the party’s major rival to current UDA Governor Johnson Sakaja, relocated to Bungoma county to run for governor.
During a conference on Wednesday, the group backed Aladwa, posing a new challenge to party leader Raila Odinga.
The group consists of recently elected ODM grassroots officials as well as several Nairobi delegates.
They included Nairobi ODM Vice-Chairman Ochieng Jera, Women’s Branch Chairperson Catherine Akoth, and Youth Leader Stanzo Omungala.
The delegates recognized Aladwa as a devoted servant who has continuously backed the party and its leader.
They praised the two-term MP for his experience and extensive knowledge of municipal Hall, citing his previous role as mayor of the now-defunct municipal council.
The fight for the Nairobi Governor is intensifying after a group of ODM officials and delegates endorsed Makadara Mp George Aladwa for the gubernatorial bid of Nairobi City. pic.twitter.com/6pU3AzKqnb
— Point Center (@Point_Center254) July 21, 2025
“He remains the most loyal and experienced leader in ODM. That is why we are urging the party, and our leader Raila Odinga, to consider Aladwa for the Nairobi governor seat,” Paul Oyimba, Kamukunji ODM chairman, said.
Aladwa is well-known for his ability to mobilise grassroots support and deliver passionate political speeches. He is credited with helping to maintain Luhya community support for Raila in Nairobi.
Aladwa comes from the Maragoli sub-tribe of the Luhya community in Vihiga County, which is one of the largest Luhya subtribes.
Nearly one million Luhyas live in Nairobi, giving them the second-largest voting bloc behind the Kikuyu.
Initially, Aladwa indicated an interest in running for Vihiga governor.
However, insiders say Raila persuaded him to stay in Nairobi, emphasizing Aladwa’s strategic importance to ODM politics in the capital.
Wanyonyi, who is running for Bungoma governorship, was the ODM’s selected candidate to oppose Sakaja.
In 2022, Wanyonyi reluctantly withdrew from the Nairobi Governor election after Raila and then-President Uhuru Kenyatta agreed to support Jubilee’s Polycarp Igathe as their joint candidate. He lost.
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Babu Owino, the MP for Embakasi East, is a leading ODM candidate for governor.
Insiders say it will be tough for him to get the ODM ticket because of his vocal opposition to the evolving political arrangements between President William Ruto and Raila, as well as the broad-based administration.
Governor Sakaja, elected on a UDA ticket, now faces a difficult battle in retaining his seat.
Although he has maintained tight ties with both Ruto and Raila, presumably to gain bipartisan support, insiders claim Raila is adamant that an ODM candidate compete for Nairobi Governor.
Nairobi’s ODM Delegates Endorse Vocal MP For Governor Despite Babu Interest
